U.S. Revokes Colombian President’s Visa Amid Diplomatic Row

The United States has announced that it will revoke the visa of Colombian President Gustavo Petro, citing his recent comments at a pro-Palestinian rally that were deemed reckless by the State Department. The move has sparked a diplomatic row between the two countries, with Colombia’s government yet to respond to the decision.

According to sources, President Petro had urged American soldiers to disobey then-US President Donald Trump during a rally in support of Palestine. The comments, which were seen as highly unusual and provocative, drew swift condemnation from the US State Department.

In a statement, a spokesperson for the State Department said that President Petro’s remarks were considered reckless and irresponsible, and that they had left the US with no choice but to revoke his visa. The spokesperson declined to provide further details on the matter, citing diplomatic protocol.

The decision to revoke President Petro’s visa has significant implications for US-Colombia relations, which have historically been strong. The two countries have enjoyed close ties in areas such as trade, security, and counter-narcotics efforts.

President Petro, who took office in August 2022, has been known for his outspoken views on various international issues. His comments on US policy towards Palestine have been seen as a reflection of his country’s long-standing support for the Palestinian cause.

The revocation of President Petro’s visa is likely to strain relations between the US and Colombia, which have been working closely together on regional security issues. It remains to be seen how Colombia’s government will respond to the move, and whether it will impact cooperation between the two nations in the future.